According to data published by Silicon Valley mobile analytics provider, Quettra, BBM has the second highest user retention among 22 Android social and messaging apps tracked by Quettra. They include WhatsApp, Instagram, WeChat, Snapchat, Twitter and others.

As reported by The Information and CNBC, BBM held onto more than 93% of its users after 30 days, more than double the 43% average user retention after 30 days for all apps measured. After 60 days, 89% of BBM users remained loyal, and 82% after 90 days. Only Facebook Messenger ranked higher than BBM.

Below is a screenshot published by The Information, which commissioned the data from Quettra. Visit The Information to view the interactive version of the chart, which lets you see the exact retention rates at different times up to 90 days after the app is downloaded.

Quettra tracks app usage on 75 million Android phones around the world, a 6% global sample.

BBM users’ loyalty shouldn’t be surprising. As we posted last month, BBM passed 100 million Android installations via Google Play after 18 months of availability. Even more impressive: out of 4.4 million user reviews, 2.8 million rate BBM 5 stars (total rating: 4.3 out of 5).

Our user loyalty is matched only by the enthusiasm of our users for our new digital goods, including stickers and more, available from BBM Shop. 1.87 billion stickers were sent by BBM users in the first year of availability. The Shop, which boasts 250 items for sale, has been visited more than 1.5 BILLION times, too.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2015/04/analyst-bbm-users-more-loyal-than-whatsapp-instagram-wechat-snapchat-and-twitter/feed/0ThinkstockPhotos-466169747ericylaiquettra screenshotWhy SMS is Losing, but Operators Can Still Winhttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2014/09/why-sms-is-losing-but-operators-can-still-win/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2014/09/why-sms-is-losing-but-operators-can-still-win/#commentsFri, 26 Sep 2014 10:00:54 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=22119/ Read More]]> It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that SMS was the new, new thing. Just 10 years ago, I was running a wireless application service provider that, among other things, made mobile games and offered an SMS chat dating service. (Very popular, I might add — and current traffic at BBM PIN exchange sites is evidence that some things haven’t changed!)

Back then, SMS was the dominant technology, providing the foundation for my old company’s apps and services. Now, smartphones are taking over, and with them, over-the-top (OTT) messaging and voice providers — so called because they go “over the top” of the cellular network and operators by working via a device’s internet connection.

Because these many apps offer free (or nearly free) messaging and voice calling, along with other bells and whistles, instant message volume is going through the roof, and SMS is on the decline.

The trend has serious implications for mobile operators, which I detail in my post on the Business Blog.

Essentially, it breaks down like this. SMS travels over cell networks, costs money, and restricts you to 160 characters and/or limits per month, depending on your plan. In contrast, OTT messaging and voice apps — including BBM — send data over the Internet for free (or a low annual fee), and there are no limits on the length or number of messages you send. So the apps give consumers more for less. It’s not hard to see why they’ve become so popular.

Many OTT players look at operators as their competition and are going head-to-head with them. At BlackBerry, we have a long history of partnership with operators, and we plan to continue in that spirit. Today, we offer BBM-carrier partnership opportunities that fall into two broad categories.

The second category is strategic partnerships. Together, BBM and carriers can combat IM apps and the mutual threat of reduction in SMS revenues through a co-branded BBM product called “Messages.” It’s identical to BBM and supports customization of branding, content, and services within a standard framework.

We’re offering BBM as a free solution that offers carriers turnkey RCS support on a revenue-share basis. It’s a powerful response to the OTT players that are eradicating operator SMS business.

Yes, Team BlackBerry, WhatsApp Messenger has arrived in the BlackBerry World storefront for BlackBerry 10 devices, and we couldn’t be more excited! WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, so there is no additional cost to message and stay in touch with your friends as long as you stay within your data limits!

WhatsApp provides a fantastic experience that leverages the true multi-tasking capabilities of BlackBerry 10. WhatsApp Messenger for BlackBerry 10 gives you an awesome messaging experience, and it looks and feels stunning. Here’s what you can expect from the app:

Instant push notifications to alert you when you receive messages- even when the screen is locked.

Full integration into BlackBerry Contacts, with automatic contact scanning to help you build out your contact list and get started right away.

When we launched BlackBerry 10 on January 30th, Martyn Mallick, VP Global Alliances and Business Development at BlackBerry confirmed onstage that WhatsApp was committed to the platform. Here’s what he had to say about the official launch of WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10

“BlackBerry has always been about bringing people together in a way that is fast, reliable and impactful. WhatsApp is a highly anticipated mobile messaging app that connects users to their contacts on several platforms, and we are pleased to work with WhatsApp to bring their service to our customers.”

WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton also had this to say about building for BlackBerry 10 and bringing WhatsApp into BlackBerry World today.

“BlackBerry has been a great platform for WhatsApp for many years. Delivering WhatsApp on BlackBerry 10 devices is in line with our goals of ensuring that our customers around the world can continue to communicate with the most important people in their lives.”

You can download WhatsApp Messenger in BlackBerry World starting today!

Have you been using WhatsApp for years, or are you a new customer? Either way try out the app and let us know your favorite features in the comments below.